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Genesis 50:20; Psalm 105:16-19 One of the things which we as Christians have difficulty learning is that we are part of something bigger than ourselves - much bigger! We each tend to hold to a narrow and near-sighted view of life which centers around my life, my family, my health, my finances, my job, etc. Our prayers seem to gravitate to these things, and we wonder why God does not bless us more in these areas. Now, there’s nothing amiss in asking for God’s blessings in our personal life, but we should always keep in mind that He most likely has some other plans for us which go far afield of our small view of things. Joseph is an excellent example of this. He was part of this nice little shepherding family which was well-to-do and quite richly blessed by God. Joseph had a father Jacob who favored him over his ten brothers because he was the son of his father’s true love Rachel. Well, the favoritism backfired. Joseph’s brothers got jealous and sold him to some slave traders who took him to Egypt. While there, Joseph did very well for a while, but he ended up in prison through no fault of his own. But the Lord God was with Joseph and gave him the interpretation of the dreams of two fellow prisoners and eventually for Pharaoh himself, whereby he came into favor and was appointed governor over all of Egypt. In this position, Joseph devised a plan by which all of Egypt and the world (including his own family) could stay alive through seven years of famine. When Joseph was recalling all of this with his brothers, he said this: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” God’s hand was in Joseph’s life, and He used his suffering to bring about much good on a grand scale, even reaching into eternity. It has been said that if you want to make God laugh, just tell Him your plans. Remember, God has plans, too - other plans which reach beyond your own life - and you are right in the middle of them! Keep this in mind - God is always at work! ><>Jeff

Mark 1:32-38 If you’re like me, you prepare “To Do” lists. It seems like there is always so much to do that if you don’t write things down, they never get done! There are things to do for church. Things to do around the house. There is yard work. There are things to do on Saturday. I have three calendars because of all our appointments to keep and happenings to attend. It is never ending. In our text, Jesus is “up to His neck” in things to do. The residents of Capernaum were bringing Him all their sick for healing and those possessed to be freed from the unclean spirits. It says “the whole city had gathered at the door.” The next day, Jesus had risen while it was still dark and went off by Himself to pray. Later, the disciples came looking for Him with these words: “Everyone is looking for You.” More people wanted to be made well. But what does Jesus say? We need to go into neighboring towns so I can preach the gospel there also. We can’t just stay here. There is more to do in other places. Other people need to hear the gospel and be healed. For Jesus, the “to do” list was always full. And so it is with the church today. There will always be people to minister to in some way. Someone will be sick or having an operation. Someone will be having marital difficulties. Someone will lose their job. Somebody needs to hear the gospel. Somebody needs a visit. Someone requests special prayers. Someone will have trouble with a child. Somebody will start drifting down the path of some sin. Someone wants some questions answered about the Bible. Someone will end up in jail. Somebody has been absent for three weeks. Someone will cross over. We follow in the footsteps of Jesus. We just need to be ready, and not grow weary in doing good. On some Saturdays, I get to cross off everything on my “to do” list. It’s a good feeling. Mission accomplished. Then about that time Shirley says, “Next Saturday, we need to...” Oh, well. ><> Jeff

Isaiah 40:28-31 The attributes of God are the subject of many articles and sermons: His love, power, wisdom, holiness, eternalness, etc. But one of the characteristics of God which seems to be seldom discussed is His tirelessness. Isaiah writes in our text of the Everlasting God who “does not become weary or tired.” We humans all experience the tiredness which comes from living in a body of clay. We must get proper rest, or we begin to function in a diminished capacity or in extreme cases - not at all! However, God does not live in such a body but is spirit, so He has no potential problem of “running out of gas.” Isaiah, though, is discussing a different type of weariness which God could experience. This type of weariness works on the six-year-old who is the brunt of all the teasing at school since he is the shortest one in class. It’s the attitude which can develop when over and over again at work we are passed over for promotion in favor of someone younger and newer on the job. It’s the tiredness which can result from having to deal day in and day out with the open rebellion and ingratitude of an unruly child. It’s the faint heartedness which can well up in the spirit from the continual assaults of an abusive husband or the ceaseless clamor of a contentious wife. It is the tiredness which drives a person to say, “Enough is enough. I quit!” God will never entertain such a thought. Let’s be perfectly clear, though. At times, God gets totally fed up with our sinning and gives a nation (Israel’s repeated experience) or a person over to oppression to provoke repentance. But God is never too tired or weary to listen to the cries of the down-trodden and broken hearted or to answer the prayers of His people. And note this well: He has been listening to the weeping and calls for help from the teeming millions on earth for thousands of years. Yet, He never grows weary in hearing and responding to their cries. God is indeed a loving Father and a tireless Shepherd. Thank you, Lord. ><>Jeff

1 John 4:7-21 God’s love for mankind is an incredible thing. This is an understatement. It can be observed throughout the scripture record and especially affirmed in the New Testament. The source of this love is God Himself for “God is love.” Let’s examine this a little. Since God is love, love becomes the primary motive for all that He does. It is the driving force behind his will and purposes on the earth for mankind. Love is about relationships. If there is no one to love, then love cannot function. Thus, we observe that God creates Adam and Eve, the first people, and lavishes His love on them. He places them in a paradise with everything they could possibly need, even fellowship with Him. Alas, they did not return that love. However, their actions did not stop God from loving them nor their offspring. Through His promises and providence, He brings a Savior into the world, born of a woman to save humanity from its sin and reckless folly. And wonder upon wonder, not only is there a saving but a granting of an eternal life through this Savior Jesus. Paradise restored. O the depth of God’s love! In reflecting upon this (as well as other things we know), we confess that we do not deserve God’s love. Each one of us has disobeyed the voice of God and trampled on His commandments. We have pursued our own ways and spurned His love. We deserve the death of which the word speaks. Should we recognize and admit our failings, we are helpless to earn God love. We are condemned as sinners with no way to rid ourselves of the curse. But, behold! God has not stopped loving us! Even in our rebellious state, His love is strong as He waits patiently for us to come to the cross for the forgiveness and healing which we need so desperately. Behold the power and depth of God’s love. When we begin to truly grasp this, we start to change. “We love, because He first loved us.” God’s love has the power to transform us! Praise our God. Thank you, Lord Jesus! ><> Jeff

There's a lot going on in the world right now. I think it's fair to say that this is the most tense the world stage has been in a while. It's times like these when people begin to worry about the future, for both those involved and, potentially, the rest of the world. Jesus says in Luke 12:4-5 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell." The Lord reminds us here that God is sovereign. No power on earth is worth worrying about when He is watching over us. Regardless of the state of national affairs, God's comfort is always readily available to help us through life's troubles. In our toughest times, nothing is more comforting than knowing that God sees all of our struggles. God has the power, the time, and the love to watch over all of His creation. Luke 12 is one of my go-to passages of scripture, and I doubt I'm alone in that. In verses 22-31, Jesus says that God consistently provides for all parts of His creation, from the birds to the flowers. He ensures that they never have anything to worry about. Yet, God loves no part of His creation more than us. After all, God made us in His image. He says in verses 6-7 "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." So, if we are worth that much more than sparrows, which have no reason to worry, then why would we ever have to worry? Now, I'm well aware that's always easier said than done. I, for one, never seem to stop worrying. Nevertheless, God shows us here that no matter what troubles we face, He has already accounted for them and He will always make sure things work out in the best way possible. As much as we may wonder and worry about what is to come, we can always take comfort in knowing that God is in control over everything, and that He is always looking out for us. The future is in God's hands. There's no place I'd rather it be. No matter how bleak parts of the future may look now, God knows the result. We just have to trust that He'll get us there. He will. He always will. In the meantime, we might need help along the way. No matter how big or small our problems may be, God sees our struggles and remains ready to aid us. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Our Lord is ready to help each of us carry our burdens. All we need to do is ask.

Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Peter 3:1-7 The scriptures are filled with teachings for husbands and wives about the “one flesh” relationship referenced by Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6. Here’s a little quiz for spouses to serve as a reminder and encouragement in your “one flesh” togetherness. 1) Do you make it easy or difficult for your spouse to fulfill his/her role in your marriage? 2) When you have a disagreement, are you or your spouse the first one who seeks to “work it out”? 3) Do you speak the language of God in your home, or is everything said in worldly speech? 4) Do you pray together? How often? 5) Do you really listen to your spouse and engage in open dialogue, or is real conversation absent in your relationship? 6) Is all of the family income available to meet all of the family’s needs with the consent of each one of you? 7) Husband, is your love for your wife regularly seen and heard in your home? Wife, is your respect for your husband regularly seen and heard in your home? 8) Do you see your relationship as being much greater than your own selves as it reflects the love of Christ for His church and the submitting of the church to Christ? May the Lord bless your marriage and your family life. ><> Jeff

Psalm 34:11-16 People continue to amaze us day in and day out. On the one hand, we observe acts of heroism and deeds of self-sacrifice for the good of others. Firemen continue to rush into burning structures to make rescues. Men and women in blue still run toward the danger in order to save lives and subdue evil doers. Nurses and doctors suit up and go in where a pandemic proliferates to provide relief and healing. We could go on. On the other hand, we hear of all sorts of evil being perpetrated every day. Drug dealers continue to sell death. People murder other people seemingly indiscriminately. Men and women, boys and girls, are trafficked for sex. Communist China has the Uyghur population enslaved in indoctrination camps. Nowhere is this stark contrast of the capacity of humanity to do both good and evil than in the current warfare on Ukraine. There was an unprovoked attack on a peaceful country. There is indiscriminate shelling of civilian targets - apartment buildings, schools, hospitals. Women and children have been killed. People are maimed. Food and water are scarce. Many have no power, no heat. Millions have fled to neighboring countries. Families are broken and separated. Tears of grief and fear flow freely. But in the face of all this evil, good is responding. The president of Ukraine has stood forth as a man of courage to rally his people with hope against the aggressor. Men and women are taking up arms to fight for their freedom. Neighboring countries are receiving the refugees and providing for their needs. Many nations are responding with food, medical supplies and weapons. Individuals are opening up their wallets to provide help. Prayers abound. We marvel that such a range of good and evil can come from the same humanity when all are made in the image of God. The influences for both good and evil are many and powerful. Nobody has all the answers to this complex conundrum. We all get to choose. Keep telling the truth and praying that people choose wisely. ><> Jeff

Ephesians 2:1-6 Job laments that some people die in the prime of life having known ease and plenty while other die in bitterness having never known any measure of prosperity (21:23-26). Solomon’s notes on life record that the righteous die off while the wicked man prolongs his days (Ecclesiastes 7:15). Others echo the same sentiments. Deep down in your heart you, also, know it’s true - life isn’t fair. For some reason, though, we continue to expect that things will change and that amidst all the underhandedness, power plays and plain wickedness some sense of fairness will begin to rule on earth. But God’s word cautions that as long as we live on a cursed planet among sinners of all stripes, such fairness will never become the norm but be a highlight in a parade of evil doings. However, God has not left us without hope. As we struggle with the unfairness of life and cringe and grieve at its outcomes, we lose sight of this monumental fact - grace isn’t fair! Paul reminds us that the grace which brought about our salvation was in no way fair either. He reminds us that we were dead in trespasses and sins, following the world and the devil himself. Such a condition clearly demonstrates our guilt and warrants a guilty verdict before God’s judgment seat. The penalty is death - eternal destruction. Perhaps we’ve heard the gospel so many times that it has ceased to humble us. Maybe we’ve allowed the cross of Christ to become common fare to our ears. Have we begun to think that we deserve saving?! Paul’s words reverberate with wonder - “by grace you have been saved.” This is favor which rises up out of God’s love and stands against the just and fair verdict of guilty which falls on the head of each and every person. Praise God, this grace isn’t fair! And that’s what makes it grace! And that’s why the whole world needs to hear of the cross of Jesus Christ which still brings grace into a world riddled with unfairness.

Proverbs 3:13 We have all seen this scene played out in a restaurant. Two people sitting in the same booth across from one another busily engaged. But they are not engaged in conversation, that is not with each other. They are each busily looking at their phones, scrolling and pecking and thumbing. They might be playing a game with someone else, or texting with someone else, or watching a video, or checking the weather, or conversing with an image on the screen... Such were the beginnings of the metaverse. What is the metaverse? The internet provided several similar definitions, but this one seemed to describe the phenomenon in a nutshell: “a fully realized digital world that exists beyond the one in which we live.” Today, that world is being greatly enhanced through the use of virtual reality headsets which enable the wearer to play games with other people, tour exotic places, ski... - do just about anything virtually. It is a virtual reality. Virtual means practically or in effect, but not in actual fact. It appears to be real, but in fact is not. It is another uni-verse. Now we’re not arguing against technology or video games or being able to post something on social media. What we are arguing is that this is a dangerous game we play because this metaverse can swallow us like Jonah’s great fish and replace reality for us. When it’s more important to you to play that video game with your pals than discuss your finances with your spouse - beware! When you prefer telling all your “friends” about your lunch and your plans for the day rather than walk your dog - beware! When you would rather “surf the north shore of Hawaii” than play catch with your son - beware! There is only one reality. “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.” ><> Jeff

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old deacon who always prayed, “Lord, prop us up on our leanin’ side.” After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently. He answered, “Well, sir, you see it’s like this ... I got an old barn out back. It’s been there a long time. It’s withstood a lot of weather. It’s gone through a lot of storms, and it’s stood for many years. It’s still standing, but one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit. So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn’t fall. “Then I got to thinking ‘bout that and how much I was like that old barn. I been around a long time; I’ve withstood a lot of life’s storms; I’ve withstood a lot of bad weather in life; I’ve withstood a lot of hard times, and I’m still standing, too. But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time., so I like to ask the Lord to prop us up on our leanin’ side, ‘cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning at times.” – via mikeysfunnies.com The old deacon had it right. We all get to leanin’ at times because of everything that has been “beating” on us. Whether it’s health issues, financial problems, relationship difficulties, or any combination of the demands and heartbreaks of life, our spiritual house can begin to tilt. We’ve all felt this; some more so than others. In times like these we must take action to get ourselves “propped up.” If we don’t, we just might collapse. And people do dreadful things when that happens: walk away from God, commit suicide, turn to drugs, hurt somebody, etc. It’s not pretty as we say. When Paul was being hounded by Satan’s messenger he wrote: “I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” Christ will prop you up, too. Believe it. ><> Jeff

Matthew 5:13-16 Webster defines influence as “to have an effect on the nature, behavior, development, action or thought of.” We are all influenced by many things whether directly or indirectly. Parents and teachers influence us directly through what they try to teach us. Influence is indirect when we just observe or hear what’s happening around us. It can be the old “do as I say, not as I do.” Dad warns us never to use curse words, but then we hear him cursing a “blue streak” in the garage with his buddies. Both will influence us. The television shows we watch, the web sites we visit, the movies we see, the books we read, the music we listen to - all these and more influence us either for good or bad. Certainly, the people with whom we keep company influence us. “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Whether we like it or not, we all influence those around us. Most of the time, this is an indirect kind of influence. People see what we do, and hear what we say. Kids hear and see Mom and Dad in the home. Do they squabble a lot? Yell at each other? Gossip? Is the house kept clean? Is there prayer? Is there praise when someone does something good? Is there fun and laughter? Is the Sunday morning assembly of first priority? Our Matthew passage is an encouragement for us to do good. In being “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world,” Christians do good and so affect the lives of those around them. Helping the needy, visiting the sick, praying with the grieving, sharing the gospel, et al, become ways to influence others for good when people see these good works which bring help and hope, and so bring glory to God. On the other hand, our influence may not be so good. Do we complain all the time? Are we crabby? Do we avoid work? Are we judgmental? Selfish? Unfriendly? Controlling? So, we have two questions for ourselves. What is influencing me in my life? What kind of influence do I have on others? Hmmm?

Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 1:5 Being a parent is a difficult task. Being a Christian parent in today’s world is a monumental undertaking which requires divine assistance! With the teaching of God’s word, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and a multitude of prayers, Mom and Dad can rear their children in the ways of the Lord. Here’s a few questions to help out. 1) - Is Jesus truly the Lord of your home? Do your kids know that? 2) - Do you pray with your children when the situation calls for it? 3) - Do you as Mom and Dad pray together about the task you have in bringing up your children? 4) - Are God and the Lord Jesus honored in your home before your children? E.g.: “God has blessed us with a sunny day today.” 5) - Do you as Dad and Mom consult the scriptures when it comes to teaching and disciplining your children? 6) - Do your children see the fruit of the Spirit in your lives. E.g.: Do you show kindness, keep your word, have a joyful demeanor, avoid angry outbursts, freely forgive, etc.? 7) - Are church assemblies and Bible studies a customary part of your weekly schedule? 8) - Do you take advantage of “teaching moments” to show how God’s word applies to everyday life? Remember, the devil is out to destroy your family, ruin your children’s lives, and keep them from eternal life. ><> Jeff